Centre Information

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Centre Information

Everything you need to know…

We are located…

At 240 Birrell st, Waverley. We are next to St Mary’s Anglican Church, in a very well maintained Church Hall that has been converted into a child care centre. This space has been used as a child care centre since 1951.

We are open…

From 8am to 5.30pm five days a week, 48 weeks a year, and close on public holidays. We close for 4 weeks over December/January.

We are licenced…

By the Department of Education and Communities for 64 children with the ages ranging from 2-6 years.

Our fees…

The fees are currently $150 a day, with no charge for public holidays.

The Australian Government provides the Child Care Subsidy, which helps families with the cost of approved care. Families are required to complete the online Child Care Subsidy assessment via myGov website piror to starting at St Mary’s Child Care Centre. This will determine your eligibility and level of Child Care Subsidy entitlement.

This subsidy is paid directly to Childcare Providers to reduce the fees families pay. The amount you may be eligible for depends on:

– Combined Family Income
–  Service Type
–  Activity Test for both parents

We have three rooms….

Joey Room 2-3 year olds
Koala Room 3-4 year olds
Kookaburra Room 4-5 year olds

Our staff ratios…

Proudly operate at more than 30 percent above mandated government staffing levels. The ratios are set extraordinarily high to optimise learning opportunities across all areas.

We provide….

Freshly prepared morning and afternoon tea each day. The menus are displayed in room and are in keeping with the Australian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia (2013). Menus are varied fortnightly.
Children are required to bring their lunch and a water bottle each day. Each room has a fridge to store your child’s lunch box and a designated area for drink bottles.
Please be aware that the Centre is nut free and therefore products containing nuts or nut products cannot be included in your child’s lunch.
The munch and move program is embedded in our curriculum…promoting healthy eating and lifestyles throughout our program.

We have a commitment to being sustainable and caring for the environment. The Centre implements many initiatives and the children are actively involved. These include:

Daily Recycling & sorting of waste
Worm Farm & Composting
Caring for our vegetable garden
Embedding the Reuse, Recycle and Reduce initiative in everything we do
Conservation of all resources
Collaborative decision making on things that effect our world

Settling and Orientation

We believe that settling is an individulised process as every child and family is unique. Educators will work with your family to ensure that the transition to our Centre is tailored to your needs. Orientation is the beginning of the journey and is very important in setting the foundation for our ongoing relationship with the individual child and their extended family.

What to expect…

1.Join our wait list here

2. If a position becomes available you will be contacted and once you accept the position a bond of two weeks will apply.

3. Before your commencement day, we encourage you and your child to come and spend time with us.

4. Once your child starts at the Centre, we create an individualised process based on the needs of your child and family. The team leader of the room and Director will work with you to ensure that the settling process is tailored to your child.

Throughout the orientation period and your child’s entire time with us at St Mary’s, our educators will work in partnership with families wherever possible with open communication and shared decision making.

https://www.startingblocks.gov.au/other-resources/factsheets/preparing-for-child-care/

Please note: Positions are offered when they become available. Positions for the following year are offered in September.

Hats…

In keeping with our sun protection policy, children and staff are required to wear hats outside when the UV rating is 3 and above. All children are provided with a St Mary’s hat which is kept at the Centre. Each group has a specific colour, which carry through for the duration of their time with us.

Hats are provided upon commencement at the Centre; a fee of $15 applies.

Dry bag…

To eliminate the use of plastic bags, the children are provided with a dry bag to be used for wet and soiled clothing. 

Rest time…

Joeys and Koalas will require a cot sized top sheet and blanket for rest time; The sheets should be placed in a material bag (not plastic) and clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Security gate…

Security is paramount at St Mary’s. Each family is asked to nominate their own four digit pin for the security gate.

Authorisation to collect

Only authorised people will be allowed to collect your child from St Mary’s Child Care Centre.

Electronic sign in/out

All children must be signed in and out of the Centre by a parent, guardian or authorised person.

This is a legal document and individuals using the system must use their personal details. Photo identification is required if the person is unknown to staff.

What to bring each day

  • Nappies if required
  • A bag with spare clothing, including a complete outfit and a jacket for cooler weather (2-3 complete changes when toilet training)
  • Water bottle, clearly labelled with your child’s name
  • Security blanket or item if needed.
  • Appropriate clothing that meets sun protection requirements for outdoor play ie: covered sleeves and shoulders
  • Appropriate footwear for active play which includes runners and sandals (no thongs).